Ayr by-election 2000

'To be a Liberal in twentieth-century Britain is to know the taste of disappointment at its bitterest. It is like supporting Wales at rugby union these days, but without any good old days to be nostalgic about.'
Brian Cathcart in Were you still up for Portillo? Penguin Books, 1997.

Lib Dems pledge to deliver

From BBC News

The Liberal Democrat Party has launched its campaign for next month's Ayr by-election, saying it has the ability to deliver where others had failed.

The Lib Dems' parliamentary convener George Lyon said a vote for candidate Stuart Ritchie would be the most positive one in the election.

Mr Lyon highlighted his party's role in government - stressing that extra money for education and farming and the abolition of tuition fees would not have happened if it had not been a partner in the coalition.

By electing a Scottish Liberal Democrat the people of Ayr will send a clear signal that their priorities are schools and hospitals

The by-election, the first for a Scottish Parliament seat, was called after the resignation of Labour's Ian Welsh at the end of last year.

Mr Lyon said: "We regret that the people of this constituency, having elected a Labour MSP who promised to do the job for four years, are being put through this by-election.

"However, it is our task to explain to the electorate that the only positive vote on the 16 March is a Liberal Democrat vote."

'No confidence'

Mr Lyon focussed on the decision of Conservative regional list MSP Phil Gallie's decision not to stand in the by-election.

In May, Mr Gallie polled just 25 votes fewer than victor Ian Welsh.

After failing to win the constituency seat, he entered the Scottish Parliament via the South of Scotland regional list.

Mr Lyon said: "Phil Gallie's decision not to stand as the Conservative candidate is a resounding vote of no confidence in his own party's chance of winning the seat.

"After all, Mr Gallie is on record as saying that if he were to stand as candidate it would be an indication of his confidence in the Tories chances of success.

"As for the SNP candidate - a man who last May said his heart 'lay in the Highlands' - he must explain how his party intends paying for the Ł2.311bn of extra expenditure which they have so far committed themselves to since last May.

'Clear signal'

"The Scottish Liberal Democrats have, since the election of the Scottish Parliament negotiated an additional Ł80m for education, a package of Ł40m for Scotland's hard-pressed farmers and the abolition of tuition fees for Scotland's students.

"By electing a Scottish Liberal Democrat the people of Ayr will send a clear signal that their priorities are schools and hospitals."

Mr Ritchie pledged to give 100% commitment if he were to win and he would offer "a strong and positive alternative to the parties which have failed to deliver for the people of Ayr, Prestwick and Troon".

22 nd February 2000

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